Information published on 11 September 2018 in the UIC electronic newsletter "UIC eNews"
Nr 613.

Czech Republic: Extensive Reconstruction of Passenger Building in Turnov

Europe

News from UIC members

A reconstructed passenger building started its service to inhabitants and visitors of the city of Turnov. A branch of Česká pošta (the Czech Post) was also opened on 3 September within the premises of an important railway junction in the Liberec Region. Works on the one-floor building dating from the second half of the 19th century took exactly one year and cost Správa železniční dopravní cesty (SŽDC) almost CZK 30 million. The construction supplier was the company Chládek a Tintěra, Pardubice.

Some time ago, the dispatching hall at Turnov passenger railway station together with public lavatories and cash desks were already being reconstructed in connection with building a transport terminal. ”The follow-up Phase II dealt with complex repairs of internal and external premises. In cooperation with the new tenants – Česká pošta and the Municipal Library – a change of project during construction has been elaborated and the premises were adapted for their requirements“, said Mr Tomáš Drmola, Deputy Director General of SŽDC for Asset Management.

”The new branch is situated in a locality with a large concentration of people who can use our services. Besides the railway station, a bus terminal is close as well", said Ms Olga Syková, Director of the Česká pošta branch network for northern Bohemia and added: “The original post branch was situated on the first floor and did not provide access for people on wheelchairs. Neither was it accessible by sidewalk, only through a public road with intense car traffic. In its new design, the current post branch has three desks for customers, from which one is designed precisely for people on wheelchairs. Another advantage is that we were able to hand over the original premises to letter and mail postmen who thus acquired more space”.

Besides internal layout modifications, construction works included a complete reconstruction of floors, a facade renewal and an exchange of fillings in external openings. At the same time, the truss, sheathing and roofing of the platform shelter were replaced; their water jetting and painting were carried out together with repairs of the steel columns. Builders also replaced the wooden columns and installed new LED lighting. Underground services were repaired as well.

A connecting passageway was finished and a new information system was constructed in the new passenger building. After the reconstruction, the building is barrier-free. Layout modifications also covered the unsatisfactory premises of the former restaurant which acquired a modern shape while preserving the historical features and ledges. Office premises were created above the restaurant with a replacement of ceiling posts. The attic was heated in full and the truss was treated against wood-destroying fungus.

A third reconstruction phase is currently in preparation which includes a wing of the building in the direction of Liberec. The respective project documentation is currently under consideration within the observation procedure.